The Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction plans to closely examine entitlement programs like Medicare and Medicaid as it attempts to resolve the nation's long term budget gap. Reimbursements paid by these programs will be under the microscope. Click on the link below to view pics of your favorite legislators:

Don't expect the healthcare community to go down without a fight. For example, see below for latest posting on the MGMA website:

Joint Committee announces first public hearing, contact lawmakers now to repeal SGR!The new Joint Committee on Deficit Reduction held its first operational meeting Thursday, Sep. 8, followed by its first public hearing Tuesday, Sep. 13. The 12-member bipartisan committee is tasked with proposing at least $1.2 trillion in debt reduction by Nov. 23, which Congress must vote on by Dec. 23. MGMA urges members to call on the Joint Committee and Congress to address the flawed sustainable growth rate (SGR) and avert the 29.5 percent Medicare physician payment cut scheduled for Jan. 1, 2012. The Joint Committee process may be the best upcoming opportunity to repeal the SGR, as budget offsets for SGR repeal will be in short supply after the Joint Committee completes its work. Visit the MGMA Advocacy Center to get involved and voice your concerns.

Meanwhile, according to Modern Healthcare, the U.S. House of Representatives has recently reignited its SGR Repeal rally and is also promoting the concept of the Joint Committee as a conduit for change:

"A 'dear colleagues' letter that was circulated in the U.S. House of Representatives urging repeal of the sustainable growth-rate formula for Medicare payments to physicians garnered 114 signatures before being sent on to the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction."